Shahanshah Oderion II Pelegon

5th Shahanshah

V 77 - V 89

Oderion II Pelegon was the 5th Shahanshah. He is most remembered as a paranoid, mad, and tyrannical monarch. He was killed by his son.

Oderion was born in the latter years of Pelegon I’s reign and grew up in the long peace of his uncle, cousin, and father. A spoiled boy who grew into a spoiled and immature man with too much money, Oderion relished in parties, sex, gluttony, and drink. But at his core, he was a deeply pathetic man. Oderion was aware that he was deeply alone. Everyone around him was compelled to “enjoy” his company because of his high status, but very few actually liked him, and this tension caused Oderion to grow into a bitter, resentful, and paranoid man.

Oderion was wed in an arranged marriage to Parvina of House Goodfellow, a kind and intelligent woman. He promptly ignored her, having many bastards with many mistresses. Eventually he would have three children with her: Oderion, Pelega, and Setherion.

When his father died and he ascended the Golden Falcon Throne, his paranoia only grew, and he became infamous for his misrule and the chaotic nature of his court. As the young prince Oderion grew and proved to be everything his father lacked, Emperor Oderion only became more bitter. 

Two factions emerged in the Imperial Court: the Falcons (loyalists to Oderion) and the Peacocks (a faction trying to limit his misrule and led by his wife, Parvina Goodfellow). One major scandal was the death of Princess Pelega. Oderion II believed her to be possessed by malicious spirits, and was known to fear and despise her. She fell from a window of one of the Golden Palace’s towers at the age of ten. While none could conclusively place blame, many believed it was an act of filicide by the Shahanshah.

Eventually tensions reached a fever pitch and half the realm, led by Princess Vidoria Pelegon, rose in revolt against Oderion II’s misrule in what became known as Vidoria’s War. While he wildly flailed and unraveled during the rebellion, Prince Oderion married a peasant girl named Roshana in a secret ceremony.  Oderion II had the girl’s family executed and had her drawn and quartered while forcing his son to watch.

Roshana’s murder proved to be Oderion II’s downfall. Two weeks later, shortly after his release from house arrest, Prince Oderion strode into his father’s solar and slashed his throat, and threw him screaming, cursing, and bleeding from a window. 

So ended the mad misrule of Oderion II Pelegon.